September, 2025.
I've been at this job 100 months.
That puts me in a quiet, reflective mood, and makes me a little nervous.
Why?
It's a long time. Some days unknowns outnumber the knowns.
21 more months here, and this will be the longest I've worked at one place. I've made it ten years at three previous jobs. Longer than that is unknown territory.
I wonder, will this job, by default, define me?
That's something I've pushed back on.
When my job and I get so close people can't tell the difference, I get antsy.
I start thinking, "Is this it?"
Not sure why that bothers me.
From playing sports, and just trying to survive in a job, I learned that it's ok to be a little complicated. Hold a little back. Have something to prove. To others, and mostly to yourself.
Everyone sees our outside layer. The next layer or two is for friends and family. Much past that and you have to let people in.
The great philosopher, Shrek, figured this out.
People try to assign you a quick, comfortable label. Put you in the bigger pecking order, and expect you to stay there.
That's when my feet get itchy. I'm a kid back on bus #42, in Mt. Vernon, with something to prove.
I can relate to the Reese Bobby, character, from Talledega Nights. Especially the tinge of nervousness he has when things are going, "a little...TOO good."
Reese was a dad. A lovable, misunderstood character, with limitations. He sometimes was his own problem. He had to learn things the hard way.
Go ahead. Put a label on me.
I'll look at you and smile.
Inside, I'm thinking...
"You think this is it?
Got me all figured out?"
"Just watch."
Years after Talledega Nights, Reese was back on our TV in NCIS, this time as character Alden Parker. He replaced Leroy Jethro Gibbs as the boss.
Ole Reese kind of got a promotion. He must have figured some things out.
I've read where transitional periods in life have been compared to "mine fields."
It's a scary comparison. Scary like teenage years. How about our mid twenties, and all those life choices and changes. Turning forty, and being forty is scary for alot of people. Approaching retirement feels the same. A little scary.
Transitional periods mark real change. We're not exactly who we used to be. More of this. Less of that.
Terri and I are in pre-retirement, and cruising right along. In the next few years, changes are coming fast.
Another mine field with more unknowns.
The more unknowns I can turn into possibles, the less nervous I am. We've followed Dave Ramsey, Roy Matlock, and a few other's advice and teachings. We've kept life, and our spending, simple, living within and below our means.
Most of all, we've kept learning, and stayed with the process.
It seems like we spend our working lives winding string onto a ball called retirement.
Then one magical day, we start unwinding it. There will be changes, and challenges.
I hope to work 4 or 5 more years. Around year two, start drawing some income from investments.
The idea is to double dip: investment income, and work income. And leave the SS alone. During those three years...
- Learn to unwind some string.
Pay off bills.
Build up cash. At least 1x our annual income.
Go to the mountains, the beach, maybe a cruise.
Give bigger with a charitable and generous spirit.
Learn again how to have and enjoy money.
In full retirement, I imagine I'll have the same itchy feet and need to keep moving.
Still figuring all that out.
Don't believe me?
Still trying to put a label on me?
Just watch.
9-17-2025
